Road rage is a term that is commonly used to describe an aggressive or very angry driver. An excessively aggressive driver is much more likely to be involved in a car accident than a driver that remains calm and collected. Aggressive driving is considered negligent driving because drivers showing signs of road rage are not focusing on driving safely and place themselves and others around them at a serious risk. On Sunday afternoon, a Tampa man was slapped with criminal charges after he allegedly flashed a handgun during a road rage incident. According to Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies, a woman honked her horn at the 34-year-old man which made him so angry he pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at the woman and another driver around 4:30 p.m. at Fletcher and Armenia avenues before driving off. The two drivers and another witness identified the man after seeing a lineup of driver’s license photos, according to authorities. The accused, a self-employed photographer, now faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $4,000. The man has since been released from jail. Like most major cities, Tampa has jam-packed traffic during peak hours of the day. When traffic is overcrowded on highways and streets, this can lead to drivers becoming overly aggressive behind the wheel. Sitting in congested traffic can be quite frustrating, and when a driver’s patience wears off, they may exhibit signs of road rage. Signs of road rage can include: • Abrupt unsafe lane changes • Sudden braking or acceleration • Yelling at other drivers • Swearing and other signs of aggressive behavior • Following too closely • Swerving and cutting off other drivers While fortunately no one was harmed in this case, many victims of road rage accidents suffer consequences that can be severe and even life altering. When you are involved in an auto accident, whether it is the result of road rage or another type of careless driving pattern, a Tampa Bay Auto Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can help you secure compensation for your personal and financial losses such as hospital bills, lost wages, mental anguish, pain and suffering and even long-term treatment needs. We will perform a thorough investigation into your accident claim, meet with any witnesses and collect accident reports, medical reports and all other key pieces of evidence that can help you recover financial compensation for your damages. If a family member or someone close to you has died as a result of a road rage auto accident injury, we can help you obtain monetary damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. Call us today at 813-221-3200 or visit us online to schedule a free initial consultation for your auto accident injury claim.

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